Black Panther 2 Without Chadwick Boseman Would Be Strange Says Letitia Wright
Shuri actress Letitia Wright admits Black Panther 2 would feel strange without Chadwick Boseman, and that she doesn't wish to think about it now.
Shuri actress Letitia Wright admits Black Panther 2 would feel incredibly strange without Chadwick Boseman. Boseman joined the MCU back in 2014, though his first onscreen appearance wouldn't arrive until 2016's Captain America: Civil War. As T'Challa, aka Black Panther, Boseman quickly became an icon and inspiration for millions of fans. In total, Boseman appeared in four MCU films, and more were expected to arrive in the coming years. Tragically, however, Boseman passed away in August at the age of 43 after a four year battle with colon cancer.
Boseman's passing came as a devastating shock to both fans and those who had the pleasure of working with him, as the actor largely kept his health struggles private. In the days following his passing, tributes poured out across the internet. Several Black Panther stars shared thoughtful messages, such as Wright, Michael B. Jordan, and Danai Gurira. Much of the past few months have been spent honoring and grieving Boseman, as echoed by Wright in a new interview.
Wright played T'Challa's younger sister Shuri alongside Boseman in three of his MCU films. In a new interview with Net-a-Porter, Wright briefly touched upon the state of Black Panther 2 in the wake of Boseman's passing. "We’re just still mourning Chad, so it’s not something I even want to think about," said Wright simply. "The thought of doing it without him is kinda strange. We’re just grieving at the moment, so it’s trying to find the light in the midst of it." At the present moment, Black Panther 2 remains slated for May 2022.
The original plan was for Black Panther 2 to begin filming in March 2021, but that is now in question as Marvel is reconsidering the plan for the film. The studio has yet to announce how they will handle Boseman's absence, and that is to be expected. No one was thinking of Black Panther 2 in the immediate wake of Boseman's passing, and it's a difficult situation to maneuver. Even now, about two months after the news broke, it seems a bit too soon to fully decide what will happen with Black Panther 2. Fans are still grappling with the loss of Boseman, and it sounds like his loved ones are as well.
Whatever Marvel chooses, it's certain that it will be done in a way that honors Boseman's legacy. In playing T'Challa, Boseman gave the Black community some much-needed representation, and Black Panther itself made history at both the box office and the Oscars. On one hand, many would like to see Black Panther 2 get made in order to further Boseman's work, but on the other, there are some who might feel better letting the character go. For those who knew Boseman, like Wright, it might be too painful to consider making another film without him. In the end, it's up to Marvel to decide what will happen.
Source: Net-a-Porter